Disc case

ABSTRACT

A disc case having a case main unit including an accommodation chamber for rotatably accommodating a disc having a signal recording surface on at least one side of the disc, support member access openings provided in the top and bottom walls of the accommodation chamber so that a chucking member can apply an external pressure to the disc, a head access opening formed in the top or bottom wall of the accommodation chamber and tangent to the side wall surface of the accommodation chamber so that a read/write head can read and/or record signals on the signal recording surface of the disc, and a concave portion formed in an area extending from the side wall surface at the head access opening to the front fringe portion of the case main unit and concave with respect to the top or bottom surface of the main unit of the case. The disc case also includes a shutter installed on the case main unit to cover the support member access openings, the head access opening and the concave portion when the shutter is closed. The shutter opens to expose the support member access openings and the head access opening by sliding in at least one direction from the covered position along the front fringe portion of the case main unit. A shielding portion provided on the case main unit shields all or a part of the passages communicating with the accommodation chamber even when the shutter is closed.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No.08/782,145, filed Jan. 10, 1997, still pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a disc case capable of accommodating adisc-shaped signal recording medium, such as a magnetic disc or anoptical disc.

2. Related Art of the Invention

A conventional disc case disclosed in Japanese Utility Model No. Hei6-2132 is described below referring to FIG. 31, a perspective viewshowing the conventional disc. The main unit of a disc case 80 comprisesan upper half 81 and a lower half 82 so as to form a disc accommodationchamber 87. The upper half 81 and the lower half 82 of the main unit ofthe disc case 80 are each provided with an opening 85 (see FIG. 32). Inaddition, the main unit of the disc case 80 is provided with a shutter83 being slidable in the direction indicated by arrow F or G. Theshutter 83 covers the openings 85 formed in the disc case 80. Theopenings 85 are formed (1) so that a chucking member (including a disctable) can externally pressure-contact a disc 86 accommodated inside and(2) so that an optical head can gain access to the signal recordingsurface of the disc 86. The openings 85 communicate with theaccommodation chamber 87 accommodating the disc 86.

In case the shutter 83 covers the openings 85 as shown in FIG. 31, apair of engagement holes 84 provided in the shutter 83 engage a pair ofelastic pawls 88 (see FIG. 32) provided on the main unit 80 so as toprevent the shutter 83 from sliding in direction F or G.

The shutter 83 is opened to expose the opening 85 as described below. Inorder to release the elastic pawl 88 engaging one of the engagementholes 84, an engagement release member (release pin) (not shown) isinserted into the engagement hole 84. While being kept inserted in theengagement hole 84, the engagement release member is slid toward theother engagement hole 84, thereby opening the shutter 83.

The shutter 83 now being opened is closed as described below. Theengagement release member remains inserted in the above-mentionedengagement hole 84. When the engagement release member is moved to itsoriginal position, the shutter 83 covers the exposed openings 85. Afterthe shutter 83 covers the openings 85, the engagement release member isextracted from the engagement hole 84. Instead of the engagement releasemember, the elastic pawl 88 engages the engagement hole 84 so as torestore the lock condition.

The above-mentioned opening/closing operation of the shutter 83 isperformed when the disc case 80 is inserted into or taken out of asignal recording and/or reproducing apparatus (player).

Consequently, the shutter can be opened and closed positively.

However, since the above-mentioned conventional disc case is notdustproof sufficiently, there is the danger of entry of dust into theaccommodation chamber. More specifically, a concave portion 89 is formedin the range from the opening 85 to the front fringe portion of the caseso as to decrease the amount of movement when the disc is dropped onto adisc table. Therefore, dust entered from the engagement holes 84 formedin the shutter 83 to the interior of the disc case 80 can further enterthe accommodation chamber 87 via the concave portion 89.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in consideration of the above-mentioned problem, the objectof the present invention is to provide a disc case capable of protectingthe disc accommodation chamber thereof from dust.

To solve the problem, the present invention provides a disc casecomprising:

the main unit of a case provided with:

(a) an accommodation chamber capable of rotatably accommodating a dischaving a signal recording surface on at least one side thereof,

(b) support member access openings provided in the top and bottom wallsof the accommodation chamber so that a chucking member can externallypressure-contact the disc,

(c) a head access opening formed in the top or bottom wall of theaccommodation chamber and being tangent to the side wall surface of theaccommodation chamber so that a head for reading and/or recordingsignals on the signal recording surface can gain access to the disc, and

(d) a concave portion formed in the range from the side wall surface atthe head access opening to the front fringe portion side of the mainunit of the case and being concave with respect to the top or bottomsurface of the main unit of the case,

a shutter installed on the main unit of the case so as to cover thesupport member access openings, the head access opening and the concaveportion when closed, and so as to expose the support member accessopenings and the head access opening by sliding in at least onedirection from the covering position along the front fringe portion ofthe main unit of the case when open, and

a shielding portion provided on the main unit of the case so as toshield all or part of passages communicating with the accommodationchamber via the concave portion from areas which are not covered withthe shutter even when the shutter is closed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disc case in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing parts constituting the disc case inaccordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the outer surface of an upper half12;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view mainly showing the bridge portionof the outer surface of the upper half 12;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the upper half12 constituting the upper half of an accommodation chamber 18;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of a lower half13 constituting the lower half of the accommodation chamber 18;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the outer surface of the lower half13 constituting the lower half of the accommodation chamber 18;

FIG. 8 is a half vertical sectional view showing a disc case 10accommodating a disc 11;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the disc case 10 accommodating thedisc 11 exclusive of a shutter, a spring and slide members;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the bridge portion andso on of the disc case;

FIG. 11 is a partially cutaway view showing a shutter 14;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing a left slide member 15-L; FIG.12B is a sectional view taken on line B—B of FIG. 6; and FIG. 12C is amagnified view taken near the left slide member 15-L when the shutter 14covers an upper opening 22, a lower opening 28 and the like;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a right slide member 15-R; FIG.13B is a sectional view taken on line C—C of FIG. 6; and FIG. 13C is amagnified view taken near the right slide member 15-R when the shutter14 covers the upper opening 22, the lower opening 28 and the like;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line A—A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 15A is a view showing a condition wherein the shutter 14 of thedisc case 10 is closed; and FIG. 15B is a view showing a conditionwherein the shutter 14 of the disc case 10 is open;

FIG. 16A is a view showing a condition wherein the shutter 14 of thedisc case 10 is closed; and FIG. 16B is a view showing a conditionwherein the shutter 14 of the disc case 10 is open;

FIG. 17A is a perspective view showing the shutter 14 positioned tocover the upper opening 22 and the like of the disc case 10; FIG. 17B isa view taken on line D—D of FIG. 17A; and FIG. 17C is a view taken online E—E of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18 a perspective view showing a disc case 10 provided with a leftdriven hole 40-L and a right driven hole 40-R at the center in thethickness direction of the shutter 14;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a disc case in accordance with afirst embodiment of other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the case shown in FIG. 19 with theshutter open;

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the disc case shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a case holder for the disc case ofthe first embodiment of the other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein the disc caseof the first embodiment is set in the holder shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing another case holder for the disccase of the first embodiment of the other embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein the disc caseof the first embodiment of the other embodiments of the presentinvention is set in the case holder shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a disc case in accordance with asecond embodiment of the other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein the shutter ofthe case shown in FIG. 26 is open;

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the disc case 10 shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a case holder for the secondembodiment of the other embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein the disc caseshown in FIG. 26 is set in the holder shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing a conventional disc case disclosedin Japanese Utility Model No. Hei 6-2132;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the disc case shown in FIG. 31exclusive of a shutter, a spring and slide members;

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE CODES

10 Disc case 11 Disc 12 Upper half 13 Lower half

14 Shutter 15-L Left slide member 15-R Right slide member

16 Spring 17 Write protector 18 Accommodation chamber

19 Upper accommodation chamber 10 Top wall

21 Upper side surface 22 Upper opening

23 Upper concave portion 24 Upper front fringe portion

25 Lower accommodation chamber 26 Bottom surface

27 Lower side surface 28 Lower opening

29 Lower concave portion 30 Lower front fringe portion

31 Upper center end portion 32 Lower center end portion

33 Upper bridge portion 34 Upper surface

35 Lower bridge portion 36 Lower surface

37 Upper cover portion 38 Lower cover portion

39 Side wall portion 40-L Left driven hole

40-R Right driven hole 41-L Left driven surface

41-R Right driven surface 42-L Left engagement pawl portion

42-R Right engagement pawl portion

43-L Left engagement support portion

43-R Right engagement support portion 44 Rail

45-L Left fitting portion 45-R Right fitting portion

46 Upper surface 47 Lower surface 48 Engagement surface

49-L Left spring hook portion

50-L Left engagement pawl portion

51-L Left engagement support portion

52-L Left slide fitting portion

52-R Right slide fitting portion 53-L Left groove

54-L Left slide stop surface 55-L Left stop portion

56-L Left restriction groove 56-R Right restriction groove

57-L Left stop surface 57-R Right stop surface

58-L Left locking pawl 58-R Right locking pawl

59-L Left driven hole blocking portion

59-R Right driven hole blocking portion

60-R Right side wall surface

61-Shutter opening/closing means 62 Pin 63 Lower surface

64-Upper end portion 65 Lower end portion 66 Upper cutout

67-Lower cutout 68-L Left back surface

68-R Right back surface 101 Cartridge holder

102-Cartridge guide 103 Cartridge stopper

111-Cartridge holder

112-B, 112-F (112-F1, 112-F2) Cartridge guides

113-B, 113-F Cartridge stoppers 114 Gap

1140-Guide end portion 115 Cartridge holder

116-B, 116-F Left and right case guides

117-F, 117-B Cartridge stoppers 119 Gap

118-Projection 120-R Right fringe portion of upper half

120-R1 Right forefront fringe portion of upper half

120-L Left fringe portion of upper half

120-L1 Left forefront fringe portion of upper half

130-R Right fringe portion of lower half

130-R1 Right forefront fringe portion of lower half

130-L Left fringe portion of lower half

130-L1 Left forefront fringe portion of lower half

140 Shutter 141 Protrusion portion

1410 Forefront fringe portion 142-R Right step

142-L Left step 142-R1, 142-R2 Right step surfaces

142-L1, 142-L2 Left step surfaces

150-R Right slide member 145 Shutter

1451 Forefront fringe portion

145-R, 145-L Shutter corner portions

123-R, 124-L Gaps at right and left corner portions of front fringeportion of main unit of case

610 Shutter opener 611 Pin 612 Arm

613 Torsion spring 614 Positioning projection portion

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below referring tothe drawings.

A disc case in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention isdescribed below referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view showing the disccase, and FIG. 2, a perspective view showing parts constituting the disccase. A disc case 10 accommodating a disc 11 shown in FIG. 1 comprisesan upper half 12, a lower half 13, a shutter 14, a left slide member15-L, a right slide member 15-R, a spring 16 and two write protectors 17as shown in FIG. 2. The left slide member 15-L and the right slidemember 15-R are mirror images of each other. Meawhile a disc cartridgecomprises the disc case 10 and the disc 11.

Referring to FIG. 1, the upper half 12 and the lower half 13constituting the main unit of the disc case 10 are each formed into anearly plate-like rectangular solid by molding synthetic resin. Anaccommodation chamber 18 is formed in the disc case 10 so as torotatably accommodate the disc 11. The disc 11 is an optical disc, and asignal recording surface capable of reading and writing signals isformed on both sides of the disc 11. Whether signals can be written ornot on the signal recording surfaces of the disc 11 can be determineddepending on the positions of the write protectors 17 corresponding tothe signal recording surfaces. The main unit of the case 10 of thepresent invention comprises the upper half 12, the lower half 13, theleft slide member 15-L, the right slide member 15-R, the spring 16 andthe two write protectors 17 exclusive of the shutter 14.

The upper half 12 constituting the upper half portion of theaccommodation chamber 18 of the disc case 10 in accordance with thepresent embodiment is described below referring to FIG. 3, a perspectiveview showing the outer surface of the upper half 12, and FIG. 5, aperspective view showing the inner surface thereof. In addition, thelower half 13 constituting the lower half portion of the accommodationchamber 18 is described below referring to FIG. 6, a perspective viewshowing the inner surface of the lower half 13, and FIG. 7, aperspective view showing the outer surface thereof. Referring to FIG. 5,on the inner surface side of the upper half 12 constituting the upperhalf portion of the main unit of the disc case 10, an upperaccommodation chamber 19 is formed as a tray-shaped concave area so asto substantially follow the contour of the disc 11. This upperaccommodation chamber 19 constitutes the upper half portion of theaccommodation chamber 18. Numeral 20 represents a circular top wall ofthe upper accommodation chamber 19, and numeral 21 represents acylindrical upper side surface of the upper accommodation chamber 19.The top wall 20 is partially cut to form an upper opening 22 asdescribed below.

Furthermore, referring to FIG. 6, on the inner surface side (the upperside in FIG. 6) of the lower half 13 constituting the lower half portionof the main unit of the disc case 10, a lower accommodation chamber 25is formed as a tray-shaped concave area so as to substantially followthe contour of the disc 11. This lower accommodation chamber 25constitutes the lower half portion of the accommodation chamber 18.Numeral 26 represents a circular bottom wall of the lower accommodationchamber 25, and numeral 27 represents a cylindrical lower side surfaceof the lower accommodation chamber 25. The bottom wall 26 is partiallycut to form a lower opening 28 as described below.

Accordingly, the accommodation chamber 18 is formed by abutting andsecuring the upper half 12 and the lower half 13 with each other so thatthe upper side surface 21 of the upper accommodation chamber 19 and thelower side surface 27 of the lower accommodation chamber 25 form asingle cylindrical side surface (the side surface of the entireaccommodation chamber 18). In this way, the accommodation chamber 18comprises the upper accommodation chamber 18 and the lower accommodationchamber 25.

Next, the upper opening 22 of the upper half 12 is described below.Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the upper half 12 is provided with the upperopening 22 formed by partially cutting the circular top wall 20 asdescribed above so that a chucking member (including a disc table) canexternally pressure-contact the disc 11 and so that an optical head (notshown) for reading and writing signals on the signal recording surfaceof the disc 11 can gain access to the signal recording surface. Theupper opening 22 ranges from the central portion of the top wall 20 tothe upper side surface 21 on the side of the upper front fringe portion24. The shape of the upper opening 22 is described as follows: the uppercentral portion 31 (P) of the upper opening 22 positioned at the centralportion of the top wall 20 is circular, and the portion (Q) of the upperopening 22 ranging from the center of the central portion to the upperside surface 21 on the side of the upper front fringe portion 24 isnearly rectangular.

Furthermore, the lower opening 28 of the lower half 13 is describedbelow. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the lower half 13 is provided withthe lower opening 28 formed in the circular bottom wall 26 as describedabove so that a chucking member (including a disc table) can externallypressure-contact the disc 11 and so that an optical head for reading andwriting signals on the signal recording surface of the disc 11 can gainaccess to the signal recording surface. The lower opening 28 ranges fromthe central portion of the bottom wall 26 to the lower side surface 27on the side of the lower front fringe portion 30. The shape of the loweropening 28 is described as follows: the lower central portion 32 (P′) ofthe lower opening 28 positioned at the central portion of the bottomwall 26 is circular, and the portion (Q′) of the lower opening 28ranging from the center of the central portion to the lower side surface27 on the side of the lower front fringe portion 30 is nearlyrectangular.

The following describe the relationships among the upper opening 22, thelower opening 28, support member access openings and a head accessopening in accordance with the present invention. The circular portionformed at the circular upper central portion 31 of the upper opening 22and the circular portion formed at the circular lower central portion 32of the lower opening 28 correspond to the support member access openingsin the disc case 10 of the present invention, the support member accessopenings being formed to allow the chucking member to externallypressure-contact the disc 11. Furthermore, a portion exclusive of aportion corresponding to the support member access opening from theupper opening 22 or the lower opening 28 corresponds to the head accessopening of the present invention.

The concave portion of the present embodiment is described belowreferring to FIG. 3, a perspective view showing the outer surface of theupper half 12, FIG. 4, a magnified view showing the concave portion,FIG. 5, a perspective view showing the inner surface of the upper half12, FIG. 8, a vertical sectional perspective view showing the disc case10 accommodating the disc 11, FIG. 9, a perspective view similar to theassembly drawing of FIG. 1 exclusive of the shutter 14, the slidemembers 15 and the spring 16, and FIG. 10, an enlarged perspective viewshowing the bridge portion and so on of the disc case. Referring to FIG.3, an upper bridge portion 33 forming a part of the upper side surface21 is disposed near the central portion of the upper front fringeportion 24 of the upper half 12. In addition, the upper surface 34 ofthe upper bridge portion 33 is recessed deeper than the lower (inner)surface of the top wall 20 of the upper half 12 (see the upper bridgeportion 33 shown in FIG. 3). A space 24′ is formed on the side of theupper front fringe portion 24 from the upper bridge portion 33.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a lower bridge portion 35 forming a part ofthe circular lower side surface 27 is disposed near the central portionof the lower front fringe portion 30 of the lower half 13. The lowersurface 36 of the lower bridge portion 35 on the outer surface side ofthe lower half 13 is recessed deeper than the upper (inner) surface ofthe bottom wall 26 of the lower half 13. In addition, as shown in FIG.6, a rail 44 is formed on the upper surface (inner surface) of the lowerbridge portion 35 near the lower front fringe portion 30. On the frontside of the rail 44, a left restriction groove 56-L is formed on theleft, and a right restriction groove 56-R is formed on the right on thefront side of the rail 44. Furthermore, on the upper surface 46 of therail 44, a left slide fitting portion 52-L, a left fitting portion 45-L,a right fitting portion 45-R and a right slide fitting portion 52-R aredisposed in this order from left to right. FIG. 12B is a sectional viewtaken on line B—B of FIG. 6 and is a sectional perspective view showingthe rail 44 in more detail.

The upper concave portion 23 and the lower concave portion 29 inaccordance with the present embodiment correspond to the concave portionof the disc case of the present invention. These concave portions areprovided so as to decrease a dropping distance when the disc case isloaded into a recording and/or reproducing apparatus (player) anddropped onto the disc table of the apparatus.

Next, the shutter in accordance with the present embodiment is describedbelow. Referring to FIG. 2, the shutter 14 is formed by moldingsynthetic resin. The shutter 14 comprises an upper cover portion 37, alower cover portion 38, both being formed into a nearly rectangularplate-like shape, and a side wall portion 39 disposed at the endportions of the upper cover portion 37 and the lower cover portion 38 soas to connect the upper cover portion 37 to the lower cover portion 38so that the shutter 14 can cover areas ranging from the upper opening 22of the upper half 12 to the lower opening 28 of the lower half 13 whilecovering the upper bridge portion 33 disposed near the central portionof the upper front fringe portion 24 and the lower bridge portion 35disposed near the central portion of the lower front fringe portion 30.

The shutter 14 is described below in more detail referring to FIG. 11, apartially cutaway view showing the shutter 14. At both ends of the sidewall portion 39 of the shutter 14, a left driven hole 40-L and a rightdriven hole 40-R are formed so that the shutter 14 can be driven byshutter opening/closing means described later. The shutter 14 coveringthe upper opening 22, the lower opening 28 and the like can be openedwhen the shutter opening/closing means pushes a right driven surface41-R, namely one of the side surfaces defining the right driven hole40-R, in the direction toward the left driven hole 40-L. In the sameway, the shutter 14 covering the upper opening 22, the lower opening 28and the like can be opened when the shutter opening/closing means pushesa left driven surface 41-L (see FIG. 16A), namely one of the sidesurfaces defining the left driven hole 40-L, in the direction toward theright driven hole 40-R.

Furthermore, the shutter 14 is equipped with a left engagement pawlportion 42-L and a right engagement pawl portion 42-R having engagementpawls inside and near both ends of the side wall portion 39 of theshutter 14. The shutter 14 is connected to the main unit of the disccase 10 by virtue of the left engagement pawl portion 42-L and the rightengagement pawl portion 42-R. The left engagement pawl portion 42-L andthe right engagement pawl portion 42-R project from the inside of theside wall portion 39 toward the accommodation chamber 18. Moreover, theleft engagement pawl portion 42-L is positioned on the upper side of theleft driven hole 40-L, and the right engagement pawl portion 42-R ispositioned on the upper side of the right driven hole 40-R. In order tosupport the connection of the left engagement pawl portion 42-L and theright engagement pawl portion 42-R to the main unit of the disc case 10,the shutter 14 is equipped with a left engagement support portion 43-Land a right engagement support portion 43-R, both being plate-like,inside and near both end portions of the side wall portion 39 of theshutter 14. These left engagement support portion 43-L and the rightengagement support portion 43-R project from the inside of the side wallportion 39 toward the accommodation chamber 18. In addition, the leftengagement support portion 43-L is positioned on the lower side of theleft driven hole 40-L, and the right engagement support portion 43-R ispositioned on the lower side of the right driven hole 40-R.

Among the slide members in accordance with the present embodiment, theleft slide member 15-L is first described below referring to FIG. 12A, aperspective view showing the left slide member 15-L, FIG. 12B, asectional view taken on line B—B of FIG. 6, and FIG. 12C, a magnifiedview taken near the left slide member 15-L when the shutter 14 coversthe upper opening 22, the lower opening 28 and the like. Referring toFIG. 12A, the left slide member 15-L is provided with a left spring hookportion 49-L for hooking the spring 16 shown in FIG. 2. In addition, theleft slide member 15-L is equipped with a left engagement pawl portion50-L having an engagement pawl for engaging the main unit of the disccase 10, more specifically an engagement surface 48 (see FIG. 12B, andFIG. 14, a sectional view taken on line A—A of FIG. 6) of the rail 44provided near the lower front fringe portion 30 of the lower half 13.Furthermore, the left slide member 15-L is provided with a plate-likeleft engagement support portion 51-L for supporting the engagement atthe left engagement pawl portion 50-L. Moreover, the left slide member15-L is provided with a left locking pawl 58-L for engaging the leftback surface 68-L of the left driven surface 41-L of the left drivenhole 40-L formed in the shutter 14 (see FIG. 12C and FIG. 16A).

In the same way as described above, a right slide member 15-R inaccordance with the present embodiment is described below referring toFIG. 13A, a perspective view showing the right slide member 15-R, FIG.13B, a sectional view taken on line C—C of FIG. 6, and FIG. 13C, amagnified view taken near the right slide member 15-R when the shutter14 covers the upper opening 22, the lower opening 28 and the like. Theright slide member 15-R is also provided with a right spring hookportion 49-R for hooking the spring 16. In addition, the right slidemember 15-R is equipped with a right engagement pawl portion 50-R forengaging the rail 44 and a plate-like right engagement support portion51-R for supporting the engagement at the right engagement pawl portion50-R. Moreover, the right slide member 15-R is also provided with aright locking pawl 58-R for engaging the right back surface 68-R of theright driven surface 41-R of the right driven hole 40-R formed in theshutter 14 (see FIGS. 16A and 16B). The other portions of the rightslide member are similar to those of the left slide member.

The slide members are provided with shielding portions to prevent dustfrom entering the accommodation chamber 18. Referring to FIG. 12A, theleft slide member 15-L is provided with a left driven hole blockingportion 59-L having the shape of a cylindrical side wall andconstituting a portion for blocking the left driven hole 40-L of theshutter 14. In the same way, as shown in FIG. 13C, the right slidemember 15-R is provided with a right driven hole blocking portion 59-Rhaving the shape of a cylindrical side wall and constituting a portionfor blocking the right driven hole 40-R of the shutter 14.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 12C, the left slide member 15-L isprovided with a left side wall surface 60-L to block a gap generatedbetween the side surface of the shutter 14 near the left driven hole40-L and a slit S (refer to S in FIG. 10) between the upper front fringeportion 24 and the lower front fringe portion 30. In the same way, theright slide member 15-R is provided with a right side wall surface 60-Rto block a gap generated on the side surface of the shutter 14 near theright driven hole 40-R.

The following describes the assembly of all the members of the disc casein accordance with the present embodiment and also describe thefunctions of the major members thereof.

First, the following describe the incorporation of the slide membersinto the main unit of the disc case 10. Before installing the left slidemember 15-L and the right slide member 15-R in the main unit of the disccase 10, one end of the spring 16 is hooked to the left spring hookportion 49-L of the left slide member 15-L, and the other end of thespring 16 is hooked to the right spring hook portion 49-R of the rightslide member 15-R.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the left slide member 15-L is thenincorporated into the main unit of the disc case 10 as described below.First, the left engagement pawl portion 50-L of the left slide member15-L is pushed from the upper surface 46 of the rail 44 to theaccommodation chamber 18 along the left slide fitting portion 52-Lformed on the rail 44 of the lower half 13 while being elasticallydeformed upward. At the same time, the left engagement support portion51-L of the left slide member 15-L is inserted into a left groove 53-Ldefined by the lower surface 47 of the rail 44 and the inner surface(upper surface) of the lower half 13 (see FIG. 12B). At this time, aconvex left stop portion 55-L on the left slide member 15-L is insertedinto the left restriction groove 56-L formed in the rail 44 as shown inFIG. 12B.

As a result, the left slide member 15-L is fit into the rail 44, andslidably incorporated into the main unit of the disc case 10. In thesame way, the right slide member 15-R is incorporated into the main unitof the disc case 10 along the right slide fitting portion 52-R (seeFIGS. 6, 13A and 13B). However, these slide members have differentslidable regions. Referring to FIG. 6, the left slide member 15-L slidesalong a part of the rail 44 provided on the left side of the lowerbridge portion 35, and the right slide member 15-R slides along a partof the rail 44 provided on the right side of the lower bridge portion35.

Next, the shutter 14 is incorporated into the main unit of the disc case10 as described below. Referring to FIG. 6, the rail 44 in parallel withthe lower front fringe portion 30 is formed near the lower front fringeportion 30 of the lower half 13 as described above. The left fittingportion 45-L and the right fitting portion 45-R are formed near bothends of the lower bridge portion 35. As shown in FIG. 11, the leftfitting portion 45-L is used to fit the left engagement pawl portion42-L of the shutter 14 into the rail 44, and the right fitting portion45-R is used to fit the right engagement pawl portion 42-R into the rail44. Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 11, in order to incorporate the shutter14 into the main unit of the disc case 10, the left engagement pawlportion 42-L and the right engagement pawl portion 42-R of the shutter14 are pushed from the upper surface 46 of the rail 44 to theaccommodation chamber 18 along the left fitting portion 45-L and theright fitting portion 45-R while being elastically deformed upward. Atthe same time, the left engagement support portion 43-L and the rightengagement support portion 43-R are pushed from the lower surface 47 ofthe rail 44 to the accommodation chamber 18 while being elasticallydeformed downward (see FIG. 6, and FIG. 14, a sectional view taken online A—A of FIG. 6; the front fringe portion 30 of the lower half 13 isnot present under an area of the lower surface 47 of the rail 44corresponding to a range provided with the left fitting portion 45-L andthe right fitting portion 45-R). As a result, the shutter 14 is fit intothe rail 44 and installed into the rail 44 formed on the lower half 13,thereby incorporated into the main unit of the disc case 10.

In this condition, the left engagement pawl 42-L and the rightengagement pawl 42-R engage the engagement surface 48 of the rail 44 asshown in FIGS. 11 and 14. In addition, the upper surface of the leftengagement support portion 43-L and the upper surface of the rightengagement support portion 43-R make contact with the lower surface 47of the rail 44 so as to support the engagement of the left engagementpawl portion 42-L and the right engagement pawl portion 42-R. As aresult, once the shutter 14 is incorporated into the main unit of thedisc case 10, the shutter 14 does not slip off spontaneously.

The function of the spring 16 is then described below. The left slidemember 15-L and the right slide member 15-R installed in the lower half13 as described above tend to come close to each other because of theshrinkage force of the spring 16 secured to the left spring hook portion49-L and the right spring hook portion 49-R. However, as shown in FIG.12A, the convex left stop portion 55-L having a left slide stop surface54-L is formed on the left slide member 15-L. The convex left stopportion 55-L is inserted in the left restriction groove 56-L formed inthe rail 44 shown in FIG. 12B. The right end of the left restrictiongroove 56-L terminates at the left stop surface 57-L as shown in FIG. 6.Since the left slide stop surface 54-L of the left slide member 15-L isthus prevented from moving further by the left stop surface 57-L of therail 44, the left slide member 15-L cannot slide further toward theright slide member 15-R. In the same way, since the right slide stopsurface 54-R of the right slide member 15-R is prevented from movingfurther by the right stop surface 57-R of the rail 44, the right slidemember 15-R cannot slide further toward the left slide member 15-L. Forthis reason, the left slide member 15-L and the right slide member 15-Rare positioned at both ends of the lower bridge portion 35 if noexternal force is applied.

In this condition, the left stop surface 57-L and the right stop surface57-R in accordance with the present embodiment are used as stoppers forthe disc case of the present invention.

The following describe a mechanism for locking the shutter 14 by usingthe slide members. Referring to FIGS. 11, 12A and 12C, the left slidemember 15-L is provided with the left locking pawl 58-L for engaging theleft back surface 68-L of the left driven surface 41-L of the leftdriven hole 40-L formed in the shutter 14 (also see FIG. 16A). In thesame way, the right slide member 15-R is provided with a right lockingpawl 58-R for engaging the right back surface 68-R of the right drivensurface 41-R of the right driven hole 40-R formed in the shutter 14 (seeFIGS. 13A, 13C and 16A).

As described above, the left slide member 15-L and the right slidemember 15-R are first fit into the rail 44, and positioned at both endsof the lower bridge portion 35 by the action of the spring 16. In thiscondition, the shutter 14 is fit into the rail 44 as described above. Asa result, the left locking pawl 58-L of the left slide member 15-Lengages the left back surface 68-L of the left driven surface 41-L ofthe shutter 14, and the right locking pawl 58-R of the right slidemember 15-R engages the right back surface 68-R of the right drivensurface 41-R of the shutter 14. In this way, the shutter 14 is lockedand cannot slide. The left stop surface 57-L, the right stop surface57-R, the left fitting portion 45-L, the right fitting portion 45-R, theleft locking pawl 58-L, the right locking pawl 58-R, etc. are configuredin terms of position and size so that the left locking pawl 58-L and theright locking pawl 58-R accurately engage the left back surface 68-L ofthe left driven surface 41-L and the right back surface 68-R of theright driven surface 41-R, respectively, when the shutter 14 is fit intothe rail 44 as described above.

Next, the opening/closing operation of the shutter 14 of the disc case10 in accordance with the present embodiment is described belowreferring to FIGS. 15A and 16A, views showing a condition wherein theshutter 14 is closed; and FIGS. 15B and 16B, views showing a conditionwherein the shutter 14 is open. Referring to FIGS. 15A and 16A, when theshutter 14 covers the upper opening 22 and the like of the disc case 10,since the left locking pawl 58-L of the left slide member 15-L engagesthe left back surface 68-L of the left driven surface 41-L of theshutter 14 as described above, the shutter 14 cannot move in thedirection indicated by arrow L. In the same way, since the right lockingpawl 58-R of the right slide member 15-R engages the right back surface68-R of the right driven surface 41-R of the shutter 14, the shutter 14cannot move in the direction indicated by arrow R, either.

When the disc case 10 is loaded into a signal recording and/orreproducing apparatus (not shown), a pin 62 installed at the tip ofshutter opening/closing means 61 provided in the apparatus is insertedinto the right driven hole 40-R, while the pin 62 is in parallel withthe surface of the disc 11 and the tip of the pin 62 contacts a lowersurface 63, namely one of the surfaces of the right driven hole 40-R(see FIG. 11). Furthermore, the tip of the pin 62 inserted into theright driven hole 40-R pushes the right driven hole blocking portion59-R of the right slide member 15-R toward the accommodation chamber 18.This pushing force releases the engagement at the right locking pawl58-R of the right slide member 15-R from the right back surface 68-R ofthe right driven surface 41-R of the right driven hole 40-R. As aresult, the shutter 14 can move only in the direction indicated by arrowL (see FIG. 16B).

The disc case 10 is then loaded further into the above-mentionedapparatus. Therefore, the pin 62 of the shutter opening/closing means 61further pushes the right driven hole blocking portion 59-R toward theaccommodation chamber 18, while the engagement release condition ismaintained. However, the pin 62 cannot further push and move the rightdriven hole blocking portion 59-R because of the restriction at theright driven hole 40-R of the shutter 14. Therefore, the pin 62 isrotated in the direction indicated by arrow C, thereby opening theshutter 14. Eventually, the shutter 14 is opened in the directionindicated by arrow L (see FIG. 15B). In the same way, the shutter 14 canalso be opened in the direction indicated by arrow R, when the shutteropening/closing means 61 is disposed upside down and when the pin 62thereof is inserted into the left driven hole 40-L.

The condition shown in FIG. 15B is described below in more detail.Although the right slide member 15-R is pulled by the spring 16 in thedirection indicated by arrow L, since the right slide stop surface 54-R(see FIG. 13A) of the right slide member 15-R interferes with the rightstop surface 57-R (see FIG. 6) of the rail 44, the right slide member15-R cannot move further in the direction indicated by arrow L. On theother hand, the right side surfaces 500L (see FIG. 12A) of the leftengagement pawl portion 50-L and the left engagement support portion51-L of the left slide member 15-L push the left surfaces (see FIG. 11)of the left engagement pawl portion 42-L and the left engagement supportportion 43-L of the shutter 14 in the direction indicated by arrow R bythe force of the spring 16. While the force of the spring 16 is appliedas described above, the shutter opening/closing means 61 operated toopen the shutter 14 keeps pushing the right driven surface 41-R of theright driven hole 40-R by using the pin 62, thereby retaining the opencondition of the shutter 14.

The following describe how the disc case 10 being in the above-mentionedcondition is taken out of the apparatus (player). Referring to FIG. 15B,a force is applied to the shutter opening/closing means 61 in thedirection opposite to the direction indicated by arrow C (see FIG. 15A)by a spring, a motor or the like. As the disc case 10 is taken out ofthe apparatus, the shutter opening/closing means 61 is rotated in thedirection opposite to the direction indicated by arrow C by the forceapplied in the opposite direction. However, the force in the directionindicated by arrow R has been applied to the shutter 14 by the spring 16as described above. Therefore, the shutter 14 is moved in the directionindicated by arrow R, while following the movement of the shutteropening/closing means 61 which is rotated in the direction opposite tothe direction indicated by arrow C, thereby covering the upper opening22 and the like. When the shutter 14 has returned to the condition shownin FIG. 15A, the left locking pawl 58-L of the left slide member 15-Lengages the left back surface 68-L of the left driven surface 41-L ofthe shutter 14, and the right locking pawl 58-R of the right slidemember 15-R engages the right back surface 68-R of the right drivensurface 41-R of the shutter 14, thereby locking the shutter 14 (seeFIGS. 11, 12 and 16).

Next, the dustproof effect at the disc case 10 in accordance with thepresent embodiment is described below referring to FIG. 17A, aperspective view showing the shutter 14 positioned to cover the upperopening 22 and the like of the disc case 10, FIG. 17B, a sectional viewtaken on line D—D of FIG. 17A, and FIG. 17C, a sectional view taken online E—E of FIG. 17A.

The problem encountered in the conventional disc case is furtherclarified as described below referring to FIGS. 17A, 17B and 8.

The conventional disc case is not provided with the right slide member15-R shown in FIG. 17A. Therefore, dust can enter the interior of theshutter 14 through the right driven hole 40-R of the shutter 14. Inaddition, dust can enter the interior of the shutter 14 through anopening 400-R (see FIG. 11) provided at the right end portion of theshutter 14 near the right driven hole 40-R. Furthermore, dust can enterthe interior of the shutter 14 through the slit S (see FIG. 10) definedby the front fringe portion 24 of the upper half 12 and the front fringeportion 30 of the lower half 13. Dust having entered the interior of theshutter 14 from the above-mentioned openings and slit can further enterthe accommodation chamber 18 through the upper concave portion 23 of thebridge portion 33 or the lower concave portion 29 of the bridge portion35 in the direction indicated by arrow F or G shown in FIG. 17B (seeFIG. 8). Moreover, dust can enter the accommodation chamber 18 throughthe left side of the shutter 14 in the same way.

In the case of the disc case 10 in accordance with the presentembodiment, however, the right driven hole 40-R is blocked with theright driven hole blocking portion 59-R of the right slide member 15-Ras shown in FIG. 17A. Additionally, the opening 400-R provided at theright end portion of the shutter 14 near the right driven hole 40-R isblocked by the right side wall surface 60-R of the right slide member15-R (see FIG. 13C). Besides, the slit S (see FIG. 10) defined by thefront fringe portion 24 of the upper half 12 and the front fringeportion 30 of the lower half 13 is also blocked by the right side wallsurface 60-R of the right slide member 15-R. Therefore, dust cannotenter the interior of the shutter 14.

In the same way, the left driven hole 40-L is blocked with the leftdriven hole blocking portion 59-L of the left slide member 15-L.Additionally, the opening 400-L (see FIG. 12C) provided at the left endportion of the shutter 14 near the left driven hole 40-L is blocked withthe left side wall surface 60-L of the left slide member 15-L. Besides,c=the slit S (see FIG. 12C) defined by the front fringe portion 24 ofthe upper half 12 and the front fringe portion 30 of the lower half 13is also blocked by the left side wall surface 60-L of the left slidemember 15-L. Therefore, dust cannot enter the interior of the shutter 14in the case of the case in accordance with the present invention.

Next, dust entry from the shutter 14 positioned at the central portionof the disc case is also prevented as described below. Referring to FIG.17C, a holding flange 600 is provided to hold down the upper end portion64 and the lower end portion 65 of the shutter 14. The holding flange600 is made by providing an upper cutout 66 in the upper half 12 and byproviding an lower cutout 67 in the lower half 13. Accordingly, dust mayenter from the upper cutout 66 and the lower cutout 67. However, whenthe shutter 14 covers the upper opening 22 and the like of the disc case10, the upper end portion 64 of the shutter 14 enters the upper cutout66 so as to block the upper cutout 66. In the same way, when the shutter14 covers the lower opening 28 and the like of the disc case 10, thelower cutout 67 is blocked with the lower end portion 65 of the shutter14.

Consequently, when the shutter 14 covers the upper opening 22, the loweropening 28 and the like of the disc case 10, the accommodation chamber18 is completely blocked.

Although the left locking pawl 58-L and the right locking pawl 58-R areprovided to lock the shutter 14 in the above-mentioned embodiment, it isnot always necessary to provide a mechanism for locking the shutter 14.In case such a mechanism is unnecessary, the left driven hole blockingportion 59-L of the left slide member 15-L and the right driven holeblocking portion 59-R of the right slide member 15-R are alsounnecessary. Furthermore, the left and right driven holes 40-L and 40-Rof the shutter 14 are also unnecessary.

Still another embodiment is shown in FIG. 18. In other words, referringto FIG. 18, by providing the left driven hole 40-L and the right drivenhole 40-R at the center in the thickness direction of the shutter 14,the step difference between the end surfaces H and I can be decreased oreliminated.

New embodiments (hereinafter referred to as other embodiments) aredescribed below. The new embodiments are characterized in that theshutter 14 thereof is not locked and that when a disc case in accordancewith the embodiments is set into a player, the disc case can be insertedinto a holder both in the back-and-forth direction and the lateraldirection.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a disc case in accordance with afirst embodiment of the other embodiments. FIG. 20 is a perspective viewshowing the disc case shown in FIG. 19 with the shutter open. FIG. 21 isa plan view showing the disc case shown in FIG. 19. As a rule, memberssimilar to those used in the above-mentioned embodiment are representedby the same numerals, and not explained in detail. The first embodimentdiffers from the above-mentioned embodiment in that the shutter 140, theslide members 150-R and 150-L of the first embodiment are not providedwith any locking mechanism as described above and that the front fringeportion of the shutter 140 projects.

(1) Since the disc case in accordance with the present embodiment has nolocking mechanism, the shutter 140 being closed will open when an objecthits the shutter 140. However, the structure of the disc case is madesimple.

(2) The following mainly describe the feature wherein the disc case canbe inserted into a holder both in the back-and-forth direction and inthe lateral direction.

(a) As obviously shown in FIG. 20, in the first embodiment, a protrusionportion 141 is formed at the central portion of the front fringe portionof the shutter 140, and steps 142-R and 142-L are formed at both cornerportions of the projection portion 141. As shown in FIG. 21, theforefront fringe portion 1410 of the protrusion portion 141 is locatedat the position indicated by chain line B with respect to the forwarddirection (the shutter 140 slides along the front fringe portion of themain unit of the case). The forefront fringe portions 120-R1 and 120-L1of the right fringe portion 120-R and the left fringe portion 120-L ofthe upper half 12 of the main unit of the case are located at theposition indicated by chain line C. Furthermore, the surfaces 142-R1 and142-L1 (see FIG. 20) of the steps 142-R and 142-L of the shutter 140,being in parallel with the above-mentioned slide direction, are locatedat the position indicated by chain line A. As shown in FIG. 21, chainline B is located at the most forward position, chain line A is locatedat the most backward position, and chain line C is located therebetween.The forefront fringe portions 130-R1 and 130-L1 of the right fringeportion 130-R and the left fringe portion 130-L of the lower half 13 arealso located in the same way.

At least the forefront fringe portion 1410 (the forefront fringe portionof the protrusion portion 141) of the shutter 140 is required to beprotruded more forward than the forefront fringe portions 120-R1,120-L1, 130-R1 and 130-L1 of the main unit (12, 13) of the case. Theparallel surface 142-R1 of the step 142-R of the shutter 140 is locatedbehind the forefront fringe portions 120-R1, 120-L1, 130-R1 and 130-L1because of the following reason. In case the parallel surface is locatedbehind the forefront fringe portions, the tip 1140 of a shutter openerdescribed below interferes with the front portion of the step 142-R andcannot push a surface 142-R2 which is orthogonal to the slide direction.The above-mentioned configuration is thus used to prevent this problem.

Next, the following describe the method of setting the disc case intothe case holder in the back-and-forth direction.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a case holder, and FIG. 23 is aperspective view showing a condition wherein the insertion direction ofthe disc case 10 into a holder 101 is orthogonal to the slidingdirection of the shutter 140. The holder 101 is provided with L-shapedcase guides 102 at the left and right ends thereof. Each of the caseguides 102 is provided with a case stopper 103 at the forefront portionthereof to prevent the case 10 from advancing further. Outside thestopper 103, a shutter opener 610 is installed. The tip of the rotatablearm 612 of the shutter opener 610 is provided with a cylindrical pin611. In addition, the arm 612 is spring-loaded at all times toward theinsertion side of the disc case 10 by a torsion spring 613. The arm 612is provided with a bent projection portion 614 as shown in FIG. 23. Thisprojection portion 614 makes contact with the front fringe portion ofthe holder 101 so as to prevent the arm 612 from rotating further towardthe insertion side. The position of the pin 611 determined by theprojection portion 614 and the spring 613 corresponds to the position ofthe step 142-R of the shutter 140 of the case 10 to be inserted. As aresult, when the case 10 is inserted into the holder 101, the pin 611smoothly makes contact with the step 142-R.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a condition wherein the disc case 10 isinserted into the holder 101 in the direction indicated by arrow A. Asshown in FIG. 23, the pin 611 of the shutter opener 610 makes contactwith the surfaces 142-R1 and 142-R2 of the step 142-R of the shutter140, the arm 612 is rotated, and the shutter 140 is opened in thedirection indicated by arrow B by the rotation force of the arm 612.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a configuration wherein the insertion direction ofthe disc case 10 into the holder 101 is in parallel with the slidingdirection of the shutter 140. The holder 111 shown in FIG. 24 isprovided with a front case guide 112-F on the front side (the lower leftregion in FIG. 24) of the holder 111, and is also provided with a backcase guide 112-B on the back side (the upper right region in FIG. 24) ofthe holder 111. The guides 112-F and 112-B are L-shaped, and their endportions are provided with case stoppers 113-F and 113-B so as toprevent the case 10 from being inserted further. In addition, the frontcase guide 112-F is provided with a gap 114 at a midpoint thereof toform a step. The portion 112-F1, one of the two portions of the frontcase guide 112-F and being close to the case insertion position, isshifted forward from the other portion 112-F2 so as not to collide withthe protrusion portion 141 of the shutter 140 to be inserted. On theother hand, the end portion 1140 (the end portion facing the gap 114) ofthe other portion 112-F2 makes contact with the step 142-R of theprotrusion portion 141.

As shown in FIG. 25, the case 10 is inserted sideways into the holder111 in the direction from upper left to lower right in the figure (seearrow A). In other words, the case 10 is inserted while the front fringeportion of the case 10 is directed lower left in the figure. Therefore,the protrusion portion 141 of the shutter 140 of the case 10 is movedalong the lower left case guide 112-F of the holder 111. As theprotrusion portion 141 is guided by the guide portion 112-F1 during theinsertion, the surface 142-R2 of the step 142-R of the protrusionportion 141 makes contact with the end portion 1140 of the other guideportion 112-F2. Consequently, as the case 10 is inserted further, theshutter 140 is opened in the direction indicated by arrow B because ofthe existence of the end portion 1140 of the other guide portion 112-F2.

In this way, the disc case in accordance with the first embodiment canbe inserted into the player both in the back-and-forth direction and inthe lateral direction, and can be used in the player.

The shutter 140 can be formed into a simple rectangular shape byeliminating the protrusion portion 141, the steps 142-R and 142-L. Inthis case, the shutter opener 610 and the end portion 1140 make contactwith the corner portion of the front fringe portion of the shutter 140(refer to the following description of a second embodiment.)

(b) A second embodiment of the other embodiments is described belowreferring to FIGS. 26 to 30. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing adisc case 10 in accordance with the present embodiment; FIG. 27 is aperspective view showing a condition wherein the shutter 145 of the disccase 10 is open; FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the disc case 10 shownin FIG. 27; FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a case holder; andFIG. 30 is a perspective view showing a condition wherein the disc case10 in accordance with the present embodiment is set in the holder shownin FIG. 29. As obviously shown in FIGS. 26 and 28, in the presentembodiment, the front position of the forefront fringe portion 1451 ofthe shutter 145 is the same as the positions of the forefront fringeportions 120-R1 and 120-L1 of the right fringe portion 120-R and theleft fringe portion 120-L of the upper half 12 of the main unit of thedisc case 10, and is also the same as the positions of the forefrontfringe portions 130-R1 and 130-L1 of the right fringe portion 130-R andthe left fringe portion 130-L of the lower half 13. In addition, asshown in FIG. 26, the front fringe portions 24 and 30 of the upper half12 and the lower half 13 are behind the forefront fringe portion 1451,the forefront fringe portions 120-R1, 120-L1, 130-R1 and 130-L1.Furthermore, a gap 123-R is formed between the forefront fringe portion120-R1 of the right fringe portion 120-R of the upper half 12 and theforefront fringe portion 130-R1 of the right fringe portion 130-R of thelower half 13. Moreover, a gap 123-L is formed between the forefrontfringe portion 120-L1 of the left fringe portion 120-L of the upper half12 and the forefront fringe portion 130-L1 of the left fringe portion130-L of the lower half 13.

The following describe a method of inserting and setting theabove-mentioned disc case 10 into a case holder 115 shown in FIG. 29 inthe lateral direction. A front case guide 116-F is provided on the frontside (the lower left region in the figure) of the case holder 115, and aback case guide 116-B is provided on the back side (the upper rightregion in the figure) of the case holder 115. These guides 116-F and116-B are L-shaped, and their end portions are provided with casestoppers 117-F and 117-B to prevent the case 10 from being insertedfurther. Additionally, a cutout 119 is formed at the central portion ofthe front case guide 116-F, and a projection 118 is formed inward in thecutout 119.

The case 10 is inserted into the case holder 115 having theabove-mentioned structure as shown in FIG. 30. More specifically, thecase 10 is inserted sideways into the holder 115 in the direction fromupper left to lower right in the figure (see arrow A). In other words,the case 10 is inserted while the front fringe portion of the case 10 isdirected lower left. Therefore, the corner portion 145-R at the frontfringe portion of the shutter 145 of the case 10 is moved along thelower left case guide 116-F of the holder 115. As the corner portion145-R is guided by the guide 116-F during the insertion, the cornerportion 145-R makes contact with the projection 118 of the guide 116-F.Consequently, as the case 10 is inserted further, the shutter 145 isopened in the direction indicated by arrow B because of the existence ofthe projection 118 of the guide. Even when the case 10 is insertedupside down, the case 10 can be inserted in the same way as describedabove.

The following describe a method of inserting and setting theabove-mentioned disc case. 10 into a case holder in the back-and-forthdirection. In this case, the disc case 10 is inserted into the caseholder 101 shown in FIG. 22. As the disc case 10 is inserted in thiscase, the pin 611 of the shutter opener 610 makes contact with thecorner portion 145-R of the shutter 145, and opens the shutter 145 whilekeeping contact with the corner portion 145-R.

In this way, the disc case in accordance with the second embodiment canbe inserted into and used in the player both in the back-and-forthdirection and in the lateral direction. Unlike the first embodiment, thesecond embodiment can have the case guides 116-F and 116-B along thefull length of the holder. Therefore, the second embodiment isadvantageous in that the disc case can be inserted stably.

The following describe a case wherein the front position of theforefront fringe portion 1451 of the shutter 145 is behind the forefrontfringe portions 120-R1 and 120-L1 of the right fringe portion 120-R andthe left fringe portion 120-L of the upper half 12 of the main unit ofthe case.

In case the front position of the forefront fringe portion 1451 of theshutter 145 is behind the forefront fringe portions 120-R1 and 120-L1 ofthe right fringe portion 120-R and the left fringe portion 120-L of theupper half 12 of the main unit of the case unit, and is also behind theforefront fringe portions 130-R1 and 130-L1 of the right fringe portion130-R and the left fringe portion 130-L of the lower half 13 of the mainunit of the case, the disc case can also be set into the player both inthe lateral direction and in the back-and-forth direction by making thedepths of the gaps 123-R and 123-L larger than those of theabove-mentioned embodiment.

In the present invention, the connection between the upper half 12 andthe lower half 13 can be accomplished by welding or screw tightening.Alternatively, engagement pawls provided on the upper half 12 can beengaged with engagement holes provided in the lower half 13. Conversely,engagement holes provided in the upper half 12 can be engaged withengagement pawls provided on the lower half 13.

Furthermore, although it is assumed that the disc 11 is an optical disc,it can be assumed that the disc 11 is a magnetic disc. Moreover,although it is assumed that both surfaces of the disc 11 are used assignal recording surfaces on which signals can be read and written, onlyone surface can be used as a signal recording surface. What is more, thedisc 11 can be a disc having surfaces on which no signal can be written.After all, the disc in accordance with the present invention should haveat least one signal recording surface on which signals can be readand/or written.

In case the disc 11 has one signal recording surface, one of the twoslide members can be secured.

Additionally, in the above-mentioned embodiments, although it is assumedthat the head access opening communicates with the chucking memberaccess openings, these openings can be provided independently.

Besides, in the above-mentioned embodiments, although the upper concaveportion 23 and the lower concave portion 29 are provided to decrease themovement amount of the disc 11 when the disc 11 is dropped onto the disctable, the concave portions of the present invention are not limited tothose used for decreasing the amount of drop, but can be provided forother purposes as a matter of course. In short, when there is a passagefrom a portion not covered with the shutter to the accommodationchamber, a shielding portion should only be provided to prevent dustfrom passing through the passage.

Further, it is assumed that the concave portions in accordance with thepresent invention designate the upper concave portion 23 and the lowerconcave portion 29 in the descriptions of the above-mentionedembodiments, the concave portions are not limited to such concaveportions, but can also designate a space ranging from the upper concaveportion 23 to a cutout on the side of the upper front fringe portion 24and a space ranging from the lower concave portion 29 to a cutout on theside of the lower front fringe portion 30. Still more, when the bridgeportion is not used to directly form the side wall surface of theaccommodation chamber, but is provided closer to the front fringeportion of the case and when a space is present therebetween just as inthe case of the above-mentioned embodiment, the space can also bereferred to as the concave portion of the present invention. In otherwords, holes can also be regarded as the concave portions of the presentinvention.

More and more, in the present invention, a condition wherein the shuttercovers the concave portions does not mean that the concave portions arehermetically sealed, but may mean that there are still gaps which arenot covered.

As obviously understood from the above-mentioned descriptions, the disccase of the present invention is simple in structure and can beassembled easily. In case the shutter covers part of the concaveportions, the support member access openings and the head accessopening, the shutter can have an effect of completely blocking theaccommodation chamber.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disc case comprising: a main unit having anaccommodation chamber capable of rotatably accommodating a disc, saidmain unit including a) a head access opening formed in said main unit sothat a head for at least one of reading and recording signals can accesssaid disc; and b) a peripheral edge which is perpendicular to an axis ofrotation of said disk, said head access opening situated between saidperipheral edge and said axis of rotation; a shutter installed on saidmain unit so as to cover said head access opening when closed, and so asto expose said head access opening by sliding in either direction alongsaid peripheral edge of said main unit; wherein a forefront fringeportion of said shutter protrudes past any portion of said peripheraledge of said main unit so that said forefront fringe portion receivespressure on either side thereof when said disc case is inserted into acase holder in one of a plurality of directions and said shutter isurged to expose said head access opening by sliding in said eitherdirection.
 2. A disc case according to claim 1, wherein said forefrontfringe portion of said shutter which covers said peripheral edge of saidmain unit has a convex shape including a protrusion portion whichprotrudes further forward than any portion of said peripheral edge ofsaid main unit.
 3. A disc case according to claim 2, wherein a sideportion of said protrusion portion makes contact with a shutter openerso as to open said shutter when said disc case is inserted into saidcase holder.